Community Members

Disaster Management

Information for North Coast communities

Healthy North Coast is committed to supporting community members prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and other emergencies.

For information specific to the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit our COVID-19 page.

Being prepared helps to ensure that when disasters happen, you and your family are ready to respond effectively.

Health and emotional support services for people impacted by disasters and other emergencies.

Mental health and wellbeing support for those recovering from the impacts of natural disasters and other emergencies.

Readiness

Our region experiences a range of natural disasters including floods, bushfires, and drought. Being prepared for an emergency can save lives and support you and your family’s health and wellbeing during and after disasters.  

If you want to be prepared for a future disaster, have experienced a disaster or are recovering from a disaster, visit the Australian Red Cross for useful emergency management information and resources.

Response

Healthy North Coast offers a range of services to support communities during a disaster or emergency situation.

Healthy North Coast GP Telehealth

Healthy North Coast GP Telehealth is available to North Coast residents who can’t get an appointment with their regular GP due to the effects of a disaster. Free telehealth appointments with a GP can be booked any time of the day or night, 7 days a week. Phone 1800 931 158.

Local primary health services

General practices, Aboriginal medical services, pharmacies and allied health providers can be impacted by disasters. Please contact your health provider before attending to ensure they are open. You can use the healthdirect Service Finderto locate a health service near you.

Lismore Primary Health Precinct 

The  Lismore Primary Health Precinct  has now opened with a broad range of health providers offering appointments and services; including general practice, mental health, pharmacy, pathology, allied health services and more. 

Mental health support

Immediate 24/7 help

Connect to Wellbeing 

Connect to Wellbeing connects you to the right mental health support and information. Connect to Wellbeing offers free face-to-face or telephone counselling with qualified mental health professionals. Call 1300 160 339 Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm.   

Download a flyer about mental health that was developed for the floods, which includes all the mental health information. 

Recovery

Healthy North Coast delivers a range of programs to support our communities in recovery.

Head to Health

Head to Health services are now available on the North Coast to support people of all ages seeking mental health advice and services.

Lismore Health Precinct

The Lismore Primary Health Precinct hosts a broad range of health providers offering appointments and services; including general practice, mental health, pharmacy, pathology, allied health services and more.

Safe Havens

Safe Haven community support and wellbeing hubs offer free on-the-spot services and advice 7 days a week. Four Safe Haven sites are now operating across our Northern NSW region — Woodburn, Lismore, Mullumbimby and Murwillumbah.

Connect to Wellbeing 

Connect to Wellbeing connects you to the right mental health support and information. Connect to Wellbeing offers free face-to-face or telephone counselling with qualified mental health professionals. Call 1300 160 339 Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm. 

Download a flyer about mental health that was developed for the floods, which includes all the mental health information. 

Medicare Better Access  

Talk to your GP or contact a Medicare-registered mental health professional, such as a psychologist or mental health social worker, to access up to 20 counselling sessions each calendar year.  

Services are available for anyone whose mental health has been affected by bushfires, floods or other disasters. It is not limited to people living in directly impacted areas. People can self-refer to a mental health professional and a mental health treatment plan is not required. Fees may apply.  

Resilient Kids

Resilient Kids will deliver mental health and trauma informed supports for school-aged children across the Northern Rivers as part of our community recovery response to the 2022 floods.

Community Wellbeing and Resilience Program  

Our Community Wellbeing and Resilience Program supports communities to recover from the impacts of natural disaster and build their capacity to face future challenges.

The Bushfire Recovery Community Grants Program supports the mental health and emotional wellbeing of Australians affected by the 2019–2020 bushfires. It is an Australian Government funded initiative that aims to build social cohesion, connection and resilience through community-led recovery activities. In 2021, Healthy North Coast is supporting 43 grassroots recovery initiatives across the region.  

Resources

Lead disaster management agency for NSW

Recovery information for communities 

Information on financial assistance from Service NSW

Information on financial assistance from the Australian Government

Maintaining health during and after floods and storms

Australian Government drought services and support

Information and resources to help you cope after a disaster

Preparing for and recovering from floods

Community Trauma Toolkit

Support for young people aged 12 to 25 years

Find the right Australian digital mental health and wellbeing resources

Information and resources to help you cope after a bushfire

Practical and emotional support for people in bushfire affected areas

Mental health resources for people affected by bushfires

Resources including online forum for anonymous peer-based support

What you or others might experience after a crisis, and how to manage it

Helpful advice & practical strategies to support small children

Understanding recovery and looking after yourself

Mental health support for people who are culturally and linguistically diverse 

Support for first responder families to proactively look after their wellbeing

Helpful advice for caring for babies during an emergency